2025

Bedtime Virtues

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 1:5-8

How did your day go?

What standard of measurement do you use to determine how your day went?

Or do you just live serendipity and it doesn’t matter?

In my youth, I was introduced to Benjamin Franklin and his end of day evaluation habit. Though not a Christian, he had the habit at the end of each day to review certain virtues. His chosen virtues were areas he considered important in his daily life.

History doesn’t reveal to us the depth of his spiritual relationship with God. But his focus on spiritual formation is one habit that is known. That caught my attention.

Peter writes this letter to us in a similar way. His focus is for faith-keeping Christ-followers to exercise our effort toward certain virtues. The goal of practicing these virtues is to keep us always aware of Jesus being the center of our lives.

Peter starts with the importance of acquiring knowledge. To fill our mind with everything we can about God. From Scripture to creation, everything you can learn about HIM.

Then practicing self-control in all areas of one’s life. Learning to discipline oneself in regards to food, work, relationships, desires, and attitudes. The ability to say NO to the self and follow through.

Being steadfast or unwavering. Stay focus and finish what you start. To follow through on a matter no matter how hard or cost.

Choose to be clothed in godliness. Allow God’s Spirit to influence your heart, mind, and soul. Align yourself with the Creator’s character.

When relating with others, treat them with brotherly affection. Care for them as a family member.

And above all, let love bloom. Be willing to sacrifice for another. Show them the love and grace that God bestows on you.

So, if you want a bedtime checklist to determine how your day went, why not use these verses? There are others you can also include. But when you measure your day as a Christ-follower, you are evaluating the walk with the talk.

The day may have been a physical wreck. You may be dealing with financial challenges. And of course, these you are conversing with your Lord for help. But meanwhile, you need to remind yourself that you are following the steps of your Rabbi. You want to become more and more like HIM. Thus, the day’s priority is to review how you are managing your entire kingdom. The good with the bad.

Bring it all and place it before your Savior and Lord. HE will help you carry it through. HE wants you to become the person you were created to be. It takes two; our effort, and HIS grace. Together you and HIM will make the journey more than worthwhile.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The Inclusive Gospel

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:36

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(Paul)…proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.  Acts 28:31

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But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.   Ephesians 2:4-7

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 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.   Ephesians 2:18-22

When the gospel message is preached, what do you normally hear? Is it not from a humanistic perspective? The emphasis so often is on us humans in need for a savior. So, the central point preached is on Jesus as Savior. A true statement. But is it the main point or only one of its tenants? For when preached, people think that is all there is. But as one grows in the faith, one comes to appreciate the rest of the story. I like to summarize the gospel message like this:

  • Jesus Christ is Lord.
  • God’s Kingdom Rules.
  • God has a Purpose for Humanity.
  • You are Included.

Within this outline is built the necessary steps of repentance and belief in Jesus. That HE is the Jewish Messiah and global Savior. Yet the gospel message involves more. It highlights that Jesus defeated Satan and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. HE now has all authority over heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18). That Satan knows his time is short and now operates on earth as a terrorist. His game plan is to prevent or just slow down God’s plan for humanity. For God’s purpose from the foundation of the world is to raise a family. To prepare and train HIS children to reign within the family business – the Kingdom of God. The devil knows it. And is doing everything in his power to make God and his children fail.

Jesus, the God-Man, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven. When HE did, the curtain that separated humanity from God was ripped in two. No longer do people need to sacrifice animals, or work through a human mediator. Instead, every person now has direct access to our heavenly Father through Jesus.

But there is more.

When one accepts Jesus as their Lord, HE sends the Holy Spirit to impregnate you. God’s divine spirit merges with your human spirit. The work of sanctification then begins (2 Thess. 2:13). As you walk, talk, and hang out with the Triune God, your character and attitude changes. You begin to reflect your heavenly Father’s demeanor. You are being morphed into the image of Jesus Christ.

As you mature, your new beliefs and outlook begin to influence the world around you. You colonize your personal life, your home life, and your work life under the authority of the Kingdom of God. You are being trained to serve and lead as Jesus would. You are being prepared for eternity. And yes, you are included.

But like an adopted child, you can either choose to accept and take part in the family affairs, or not. In rebelling, you will lose out in the family blessings. But when you extend your appreciation for being accepted, you are grateful. You look for ways to share in the family experience.

Yes, you are included in the gospel message.

For the good news is about Jesus, HIS Kingdom, and your inclusiveness in HIS family plan. So, you are either now living under HIS authority in your life or not. You are either participating with HIM on earth or not. You are on mission with HIM or not. The real question now is, where will you go from here?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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The First Time

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.  Hebrews 10:32-39 (MSG)

What first time experience do you most often recall? Is it: The first time you had a crush on a person? Your first romantic kiss? Your first time away from home?

The first time you bought a car? Your wedding? Your divorce? The birth of your child?

The first time you saw death? The death of a family member? A friend? The ugliness of surviving a war zone?

There are many first in all our lives. Some bring a smile to our face. Others make our heart heavy. Yet all are experiences that have molded and shaped us into the person we are today. For most of us, the first time is a learning experience. It usually ends in failure. No musician plays their instrument perfectly the first time. It takes repeated practice to perfect one’s play. Most professionals recall the struggle and failures of those early years. In hindsight, they can laugh at their ignorance of the first time. The pain, the setbacks, and the emotional roller-coaster rides is the price of admission. It made them into the person they are today. Some would rather forget those days. Others keep those thoughts in their memory. It keeps them humble and grateful for today.   

Some people seek out a new first experience every day. They consider it an adventure. Others like to sit back and repeat the same experience over and over again. That is the makeup of our character and personality. We all choose the ways and methods which produce those dopamine hits.

Our walk with God in many ways is included in those first-time experiences.

The first time we became aware of a possibility of a God. The first time we experienced an invisible hand intervening in our life. The first time we met others who were seeking to know more about HIM. The first time we broke in totally surrender to HIM. The first time we experienced a miraculous answer to prayer. The first time we recognized HIS presence in our inner being. The first time we became aware of HIS involvement in leading us through life’s jungles. The first time our mental capacity tilted over the edge due to HIS creation. The first time we experienced peace and joy through severe trials of life. The first time our pain and suffering found comfort in HIM.

Yes, there are many first-time experiences we can recall. But there is one first time experience I still await. I long to hug Jesus and thank HIM for all HE has done and is doing for you and me. 

What is the next first-time experience you long for?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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